Article Posted on : - Mar 16, 2010

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia plans to float out its new nuclear-powered multipurpose attack submarine 'severodvisk' in May this year, according to a shipyard spokesman.

The spokesman on Monday said that a floating out ceremony for the nuclear submarine at the Sevmash shipyard has been scheduled for May 7. Severodvinsk is expected to enter service with the Russian Navy by late 2010.

Russia has begun construction of the Severodvinsk, a Project 885 Yasen (Graney) class submarine, in 1993 at the Sevmash shipyard in the northern Russian city of Severodvinsk, a report by Ria Novosti said.

Graney-class nuclear submarines combine the ability to launch a variety of long-range cruise missiles (up to 3,100 miles or 5,000 km) with nuclear warheads, and effectively engage submarines, surface warships and land-based targets.

The submarine's armament will include 24 cruise missiles, the 3M51 Alfa SLCM, the SS-NX-26 Oniks SLCM or the SS-N-21 Granat/Sampson SLCM. It will also have eight torpedo launchers, as well as mines and anti-ship missiles such as SS-N-16 Stallion.